Wednesday, October 22, 2014

BCP President Laura Doherty delivered the guest keynote address at the 40th Annual National Direct Instruction Conference this past July in Eugene, Oregon. This video includes Laura's keynote and the opening keynote by Zig Engelmann, the creator of Direct Instruction.

The National Direct Instruction Conference was founded in 1974 by Engelmann-Becker Corporation. Siegfried “Zig” Engelmann, Wes Becker, and other Direct Instruction authors wanted to create an event that would provide access to quality training for educators that otherwise might not receive training at all. That first year, 90 educators from mostly the Northwest gathered at Sheldon High School in Eugene. For the next several years, the conference continued to be housed in various high school buildings around Eugene. Attendance grew to about 200.

In 1981, two key events took place. The Association for Direct Instruction (ADI) was founded and the city of Eugene built a conference center adjacent to the Hilton Hotel in the downtown area. Along with moving the conference to a professional facility, the conference expanded from four to five days and a greater variety of sessions were incorporated. Over the decades, attendance has reached as many as 750 participants literally from around the world.

Last year, the Association for Direct Instruction ceased operations and this 40th Anniversary marks the first year of management of the conference by the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI).

The National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes is the largest and longest running DI specific training, and remains true to its traditions:The most comprehensive offering of Direct Instruction training and information available—anywhere!